The wetlands characterization is a screening tool developed to help assess which of a specific set of functions a wetland has the capacity to provide. Those functions are: floodflow alteration; sediment retention; plant/animal habitat; finfish habitat; shelfish habitat; educational/cultural value.

The SeaWiFS instrument looks at the world oceans and land to observe the plant life and phytoplankton. Zooming down to the North Atlantic one can see the North Atlantic Bloom (in bright green). This shows a flowing upwelling.